Hockeyy Insiderr ‏@HockeyyInsiderrOn #Pens: still looking for a winger for Sidney Crosby. Looks like an ex-Penguin is in the plans. #TBLightning Malone "serious option".

Hockeyy Insiderr ‏@HockeyyInsiderr#Pens and #Bruins interested in Knuble. Sources not sure if this would be a guaranteed contract or a camp try-out.

Discuss?

Personally, Malone somewhat intrigues me, although his health is a huge concern. IMO Malone's best days were with his hometown and I don't think he ever wanted to leave. Coming back just may be the medicine he needs.

Idoit40fans wrote:4.5 million for this and 2 more seasons. DOes not compute.

Agreed. And I refuse to read theses twitter post. But this does bring up a good point: The Penguins have no obvious buyout candidates. Thus, they're in a position to take on a Malone-type contract so they can use their available cap space this year then buyout the relatively cheep contract next year. That said, I don't want Malone.

Hockeyy Insiderr ‏@HockeyyInsiderrOn #Pens: still looking for a winger for Sidney Crosby. Looks like an ex-Penguin is in the plans. #TBLightning Malone "serious option".

Hockeyy Insiderr ‏@HockeyyInsiderr#Pens and #Bruins interested in Knuble. Sources not sure if this would be a guaranteed contract or a camp try-out.

Discuss?

Personally, Malone somewhat intrigues me, although his health is a huge concern. IMO Malone's best days were with his hometown and I don't think he ever wanted to leave. Coming back just may be the medicine he needs.

Knuble, too old IMO. No thanks.

1. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Penguins showing interest in Malone, as it has been strongly rumored at several points in the past. That said, with the cap coming down next season and Malkin, Letang, and others due for new contracts soon, my guess is any interest in Malone would be after this season if he is bought out by the Lightning (which is a strong possibility, I would presume).

Your point about his best days being in Pittsburgh are valid and spot on. He loves this city, never wanted to leave, and surely would love to return. Whether he ever regains his form is another story. Injuries have slowed him down in Tampa Bay, and I don't see how playing in Pittsburgh would change that. All that said, I wouldn't be opposed to him returning if bought out this summer -- maybe 2 years, $4 million total?

2. While the Penguins wait for Malone, Knuble might not be a terrible option. He was doodoo in Washington last season, but the aging, wearing-down Knuble has had a long layoff and will part of a shortened season. On a cap friendly contract for one year he could be this year's Billy Guerin-type calming veteran presence. I wouldn't commit more than $1.5 million to him, but the Pens have cap space this year and a gamble on a guy like Knuble could prove fruitful. At worst, he's a fourth liner or healthy scratch. At the mentioned price tag, it's not a huge hit to team finances.

I understand if people don't want a certain player because they believe they are not as good as others seem to think...but by saying NO to everyone that means you are saying YES to Kennedy/Tangradi/what else we currently have to play top 2 line minutes.

I am all for crossing my fingers and praying to the gods that Tangradi somehow reverses direction and works out, but I think I would rather have Malone (even though contractually it may not work out) there